Registered Psychotherapist & CANADIAN CERTIFIEd counsellor
CERTIFICATIONS
- Registered Psychotherapist - College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario - CRPO
- Canadian Certified Counsellor (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association - CCPA)
Currently, i am
- Completing my Hifz of the Holy Quran
- Practicing as a Registered Psychotherapist with Expressions Counselling in Stittsville, Ontario, Canada
- Practicing as a Registered Psychotherapist with Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team, Vanier, Canada
- Practicing as a Registered Psychotherapist with Stradwick Psychology & Neurofeedback Clinic, Stittsville, Canada.
- Family Coach and Islamic Parenting Coach
- Speaker and Muslim Youth Minister
- Self-published author - Glad Tidings Publications
- Founder Director, Glad Tidings - Providing Kids Club and Family Coaching workshops and training programs for topics related to religion, behavioural, personal development and mental health; inspirational merchandise and resources; Hifdh Academy; and training other trainers for such programs.
Education
RELIGION
- 2.5 years Talimal Quran Diploma, Al Huda Institute, Canada
- Hadith related and other short courses and seminars, Al-Maghrib Institute, Canada
- Diploma in Arabic Studies, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia
PSYCHOLOGY
- Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University, Canada
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with emphasis on child development and sociology), Western University, Canada
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, England
- Psychology of close relationships, Harvard University
- Safe Talk - Suicide Alertness and Intervention Program, Western University, Canada
- Raising Resilient Children, City of London, Canada
- The Power of Positive Parenting, City of London, Canada
- Raising Confident, Competent Children, City of London, Canada
- Certificate in teaching, Athabasca University of Alberta, Canada
- Advanced certification in ABA training (Applied Behaviour Analysis training) for general as well as autistic kids
- Masters of Science Degree in Applied Psychology, Pakistan
- Bachelor of Arts Degree, Pakistan
- Certified to teach English as a second language to children, adults and businesses, Oxford Seminars, Canada
My story
I memorized the duaa (prayer/ supplication) from Surah Furqan in the Holy Quran before I was even married. It touched something deep in my heart.
Although at that point, I did not think about children and coming generations but I was fascinated by the thought of how I could ever be a “muttaqeena imaama.” (leader of the pious). The word imam brought to my mind an image of an imam of a Masjid. I thought to myself - I am a woman. A girl can’t be an imam. So how can I be an imam of the muttaqeen? But I also thought God would not mention it if it was not possible. This thought kept rotating in my head day and night. I wanted to be the imam of mutaqeen but I couldn’t understand how.
Meanwhile, I started my studies in psychology on one hand, and religious education on the other. It was when I myself became a mother and started working with different children that God through His extreme mercy, guided me and answered the questions in my head. I found that as a parent I share the concern about our children’s success in life and afterlife with other moms as well. And that is where women and men as parents can be “muttaqeena imama” (leaders in piety). All the dots started to connect and I found my life’s purpose – of striving myself and helping other families work towards being true leaders.
I am now learning more and more about psychology and behaviour therapy on one hand and Quran and sunnah on the other; and connecting them all together. I utilize these insights to then enable parents to connect with their children in such a way that both the parents and the children are happy and healthy. And together they keep strengthening their spiritual connections.
my mission
A strong community is build up of several strong families. A family is where we learn to bond powerfully with each other and at the same time, give each other space and freedom for individual expression. My mission is to provide a helping hand while you are putting together the building blocks of your family - faith, fulfillment and leadership.
FAITH
Seeking from God
The connection between family members is a direct mercy from God. It is already there. We are not going to create something new but I will help you re-discover that connection, approach it in an effective way and develop it further.
FULFILLMENT
Coolness of the eyes
It takes more than desire, passion and persistence to overcome the modern day strains and challenges and build a fulfilling family life. This requires learning and practising effective strategies for developing a healthy mutual connection and communication. It leads to peace of mind at home and a happier, healthier family life. It brings about powerful connection between parents and children without a constant power struggle.
LEADERSHIP
Striving for the highest level
Clear, authentic, effective, loving, empathetic and respectful interactions within the family are one of the biggest sources of strengths for any person. An empowered family is a breeding ground for leaders. Leaders – that work together as a team. Leaders - that have high standards. Leaders - that are educated in faith, morally sound, and generous. Leaders – that are “mutaqeen” (God fearing). These leadership characteristics manifest in all areas of our lives – personal, professional and social.
MY 3D Approach
You will experience with me a unique three dimensional holistic approach combining:
Scientific,
Psychological and
Religious perspectives.
When families are faced with challenges, they look for solutions at two kinds of places: Modern psychologists/ therapists; or religious scholars (sheikhs/ sheikhas)
These are all great alternatives, each with their own strengths, but also inherent limitations. The therapists are experienced in digging in, probing, and identifying deeper challenges hidden under common problems. But, depending on their personal beliefs, they might not be “Akhirah” focused and faith might not be a big part of their professional practice.
On the other hand, our learned scholars have a depth of beautiful knowledge but they might not have the time or the experience to sit down with families one on one for several hours, probe and figure out what is happening in a particular household. For example, a sheikh will tell us the importance of praying, the intensity of the sin that we will get if we don’t pray, and the reward that we will get if we are teaching our children to pray. They will inspire us with beautiful hadith like “You are the shepherd of your flock”. They are the perfect people to help us find out what to do. However, the question that might remain unanswered is how to do it. How to approach the children in this time and age, through the physical and mental rush of day to day life, and a screen in their hands?
I address these gaps through a complete 3D approach – religious, scientific and psychological, all at the same time. My coaching practice is based on timeless Islamic principles. At the same time, it utilizes strategies, tips and techniques from modern psychology, behaviour training and coaching.